Digital Pedagogical Innovation in Malaysian Politics Education: A Mixed-Methods Study of MOOC and Politic-box Integration

Abstract

This paper examines a pedagogical innovation introduced for the Malaysian Politics (PAD270) course at University Technology MARA (UiTM) of Kelantan Branch, designed to address persistent challenges in student comprehension, engagement, and academic performance. Conventional teaching approaches were found to be increasingly inadequate in meeting the learning preferences of digitally oriented students, particularly due to fragmented access to course materials dispersed across multiple social media platforms. In response, the study developed a dual-platform instructional strategy comprising a Massive Open Online Course hosted on the UiTM platform and a mobile-friendly application known as Politic-box. A mixed-methods research design was employed, involving 100 diploma level students, combining quantitative performance analysis with qualitative feedback on user experience and learning effectiveness. The findings reveal a notable improvement in both cognitive understanding and academic outcomes, evidenced by a 10%–14% increase in the proportion of students achieving grades of B- and above across multiple semesters. Additionally, students reported enhanced engagement, improved self-directed learning, and greater clarity in understanding complex political concepts. Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of digital-first pedagogical tools in transforming political science education.